overplay
verb
over·play
ˌō-vər-ˈplā 
overplayed; overplaying; overplays
1
a
: to present (a dramatic role) extravagantly : exaggerate
b
: to place too much emphasis on
2
: to rely too much on the strength of
—usually used in the phrase overplay one's hand
3
: to strike a golf ball beyond (a putting green)
: to exaggerate a part or effect
Examples of overplay in a Sentence
The network news overplayed the story just to get good ratings.
He overplayed the death scene.
Recent Examples on the Web
In last month’s Super Bowl, the Chiefs overplayed the run.
—
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025
At that point, Trump will have overplayed his hand.
—Nicholas Mulder, Foreign Affairs, 6 Mar. 2025
Nunez capitalised on a swift counter to level before Bruno Guimaraes was guilty of overplaying in stoppage time, leading to the Uruguayan’s winner.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Trump’s lawyers may have overplayed their hand by rushing an appeal to the high court on Sunday.
—David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overplay
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Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025
At that point, Trump will have overplayed his hand.
—Nicholas Mulder, Foreign Affairs, 6 Mar. 2025
Nunez capitalised on a swift counter to level before Bruno Guimaraes was guilty of overplaying in stoppage time, leading to the Uruguayan’s winner.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Trump’s lawyers may have overplayed their hand by rushing an appeal to the high court on Sunday.
—David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overplay
Cite this Entry
“Overplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overplay. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overplay
verb
over·play
ˌō-vər-ˈplā
1
: exaggerate, overemphasize
newspapers overplayed the story
2
: to rely too much on the strength of
overplayed my hand and lost
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